The Publication

Practical Patient Care Issue 22 2018

New research has found that one in four non-antibiotic drugs affect the growth of bacteria in the gut, which could promote antibiotic resistance and greatly impact the way in which healthcare professionals diagnose and treat disease. Lucy Evans speaks to Nassos Typas of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory about the capacity to harm as well as heal.

Plus, the potential for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to transform the healthcare field is huge, with studies already finding diagnostic platforms outperforming their future human colleagues in terms of speed and accuracy. Take-up has been slow, however, with relatively few examples of active AI tools on medicine's front lines. What is accounting for this delay, and to what extent are we currently witnessing a cultural shift? Patrick Kingsland investigates.

Also in this issue: Dr Maria Daniela Angione of Trinity College Dublin has developed an electronic chip intended for use as part of a disposable diagnostic tool. Now undergoing preclinical trials, it could quickly detect bacterial infections and help address the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance. She discusses its potential impact with Abi Milar. And, non-adherence to treatment regimens costs healthcare systems hundreds of billions of dollars every year. Elly Earls speaks to Jon Lee-Davey, internet of things (IoT) health lead at Vodafone, to discuss how an IoT-powered solution could potentially save money and lives.

Medical Imaging Technology Issue 22 2018

Developments in areas such as 3D printing and sensor technology are ushering in a new era of MRI design, with two current projects highlighting the growing potential for wearable MRI devices. Paul Miller hears from research teams at NYU School of Medicine, the University of Nottingham, and University College London who are leading the charge.

In a significant development for the use of X-rays in cancer treatment, a group of Australian scientists have engineered 'X-ray-triggerable liposomes'. These tiny bubbles, filled with chemotherapy drugs, are injected into the body and release their payload when activated by an X-ray. Tim Gunn takes a look at this procedure, which combines two cancer treatments with immense precision and has the potential to be more effective at lower doses than either could be on its own.

Also, 100 sites across the US are participating in a clinical trial to determine the best method of mammography. The Tomosynthesis Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial (TMIST) will compare 2D and 3D mammograms in a bid to determine whether the latter should be the industry standard. And: nanoscientists at Rice University have demonstrated a method for loading iron inside nanoparticles to create MRI contrast agents that outperform gadolinium chelates, the mainstay contrast agent that
is facing increased scrutiny due to potential safety concerns. James Sanderson hears from the team.

Practical Patient Care Issue 21 2018

As we grow older, our chances of developing heart disease gradually increase. However, misdiagnosis of the condition among women, relative to men, remains at worryingly high levels. Greg Noone talks to Professor Maja-Lisa Løchen about steps to bring female heart disease into focus.

Two leading names in pharma have signed an R&D agreement to develop a companion diagnostic test for septic shock. Kerry Taylor-Smith speaks to Jean-Jacques Palombo of Roche Diagnostics and Margarita Salcedo-Magguilli of Inotrem, about the challenges of beating sepsis.

Also in this issue: Foot ulcers are a major problem for diabetic patients and amputation rates are rising across the UK. Dr Richard Paisey, diabetes footcare lead for the south-west region of England, explains how his team was able to buck the trend. Plus, Practical Patient Care assesses the potential for new digital immunoassays and molecular point-of-care tests.

Medical Imaging Technology Issue 21 2018

A new MRI technique might provide a reliable way to assess how lung cancers are responding to treatment. Kerry Taylor-Smith speaks to Nandita deSouza about the technology.

A revolutionary neonatal MRI system is enabling hospitals to run more brain diagnostics on premature babies in intensive care. Elly Earls talks to Uri Rapoport, CEO of Aspect Imaging.

Also in this issue: A team of scientists has developed the world’s first cancer scanner that detects blood vessels grown by a malignant melanoma with an infrared laser beam. UK project leader Jon Holmes discusses. Plus, how new ‘deep learning’ software promises to transform ultrasound.

Practical Patient Care Issue 20 2017

US health systems are building small, full-service hospitals to target gaps in the market – but they also provide patients with a low-stress hospital experience. Eleanor Wilson discusses the business case for micro-hospitals, and what they can do for patient care, with Dr James Nichols.

Prostate cancer is one of the world’s most common cancers, but treatment is hamstrung by imprecise testing. Andrea Valentino talks to Dr Sabine Mai, Dr Kevin Little and Ann Jeffers-Brown about how doctors and scientists are improving prostate cancer tests and fighting the stigma around the disease.

Also in this issue: Andrew Putwain looks into how acoustic emission-monitoring system could improve the lives of patients and improve other areas of medicine. Plus, cancer patients are now benefitting from super-microsurgery that can help to prevent lymphoedema. Sophie Peacock speaks to Dr Wei Chen from the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics division of plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Medical Imaging Technology Issue 20 2017

A radiation dose management repository is under way in the US. Abi Millar speaks to Dr Mary Reich Cooper, senior vice-president of clinical services at the CHA, and Dennis Durmis, head of commercial operations for radiology Americas at Bayer, about this project.

Proving the effectiveness of treatments for cystic fibrosis has traditionally been limited to basic lung function tests; however, a new MRI technique that was trialled at the University of Missouri has shown that new drugs may offer hope to patients. Ross Davies speaks to Dr Talissa Altes, chair of the study, about her findings.

Medical Imaging Technology Vol. 18 2016

Virtual reality could soon let us see inside a growing foetus. Using Oculus Rift headsets, a Brazilian team has developed new technology to create a 3D model from ultrasound and MRI, helping to spot birth defects to then communicate to parents. Lead researcher Dr Heron Werner from the Clínica de Diagnóstico por Imagem in Rio de Janeiro explains its benefit to Eleanor Wilson..

Gamma cameras are traditionally large devices that are situated in nuclear medicine departments, but technology from the world of astrophysics has enabled the production of compact gamma cameras that allow nuclear imaging at the patient bedside and in the operating theatre, as Professor John Lees of the University of Leicester explains.

Also in this issue: Dr Daniel Stäb, chief developer at the University of Queensland Centre for Advanced Imaging speaks to Medical Imaging Technology, discusses a new brain-imaging technique and Professor Alessandro Olivo of UCL speaks to Bradford Keen about bringing the X-ray capabilities of a synchrotron to clinical settings.

Practical Patient Care Issue 19 2017

A smartphone attachment that can identify bacteria's resistance levels without the need for trained lab technicians looks to be a key weapon in the fight
against antibiotic-resistant microbes. Bradford Keen speaks to Dr Aydogan Ozcan at the University of California, Los Angeles, about how this device will be
a vital tool for resource-deprived areas.

US researchers have developed a more precise method for estimating average blood-sugar levels that can cut diagnostic errors by more than 50%.
John Higgins of Harvard Medical School explains how this method could lead towards a more convenient and correct form of patient diagnostics.

Also in this issue: Greg Noone talks to Dr John Clarkson, CEO of Atlas Genetics, about a new diagnostics platform that could revolutionise point-of-care
treatment for STIs and Professor Zena Moore speaks to Kerry Taylor-Smith about the benefits of new handheld biometric scanners that use sensors to detect
the onset of pressure ulcers before they manifest on the skin.

Practical Patient Care Issue 18 2016

People with diabetes can face financial stress, and often have to sacrifice healthcare and food, regardless of their country's
healthcare system, according to data from sources across the globe. Dr Minal Patel discusses how innovative policies can help to alleviate patients' suffering.

As the first robot to complete soft-tissue surgery is hailed as the future of medicine, Kim Thomas speaks to Dr Peter Kim from the Children's National Health System in Washington,
DC, who was involved with the research to develop the technology, about what this will mean for operating rooms and patient safety.

Also in this issue: Trevor Garcia, MIDSc, director of education at the UK Institute of Decontamination Sciences, speaks to Kerry Taylor-Smith about how to ensure proper storage
in an operating theatre that will enable a smooth flow of surgical instruments. Plus, Dr Methodius G Tuuli of Washington University talks about his research into infection in
caesarean-section patients and how a simple change of antiseptic could represent a breakthrough.

Practical Patient Care Middle East Issue 2 2016

The SESAME Project is constructing the Middle East's first major international research centre.
Sir Christopher Llewellyn Smith, president of the SESAME council, explains what the project is
all about.

Marfan syndrome is a cardiovascular disease that affects a disproportionately high number
of people in the Middle East. Early in 2016, surgeons presented a new technique to treat patients in the early stage of the disease.

Also in this issue: For those living with diabetes, fasting during Ramadan can be potentially dangerous. Dr Sarah Ali talks about how practitioners can keep their patients safe.
Plus, Dr Paul Lecoq talks about CERN's Endo TOFPET-US project, which has developed an endoscopic PET scanner that could be used to find biomarkers of early-stage pancreatic cancer.

Practical Patient Care Middle East Issue 1 2016

The GCC faces a worrying growth in superbugs, one of which is resistant to all known antibiotics. In this edition of Practical Patient Care Middle East,
Elly Earls meets researcher Hosam Zowawi to find out why collaborative action is the only way to effectively face the threat.

Diabetes triples the risk of co-morbid tuberculosis, complicates its treatment and increases the likelihood of poor outcomes for both diseases.
Dr Scott Heysell, who spearheaded a report on the problem of the diseases' correlation, about where the research to beat them needs to focus, and the
issues it could lead to in terms of treatment and prevention.

Also in this issue: James Quentin examines how hospitals and governments can reach out to men effectively in order to encourage regular examination for prostate
cancer and try to catch the disease early; Sophie Peacock asks whether the growth of luxury hospitals in the Middle East will benefit medical tourism; and Kerry
Taylor-Smith speaks to Dr Vijay Magon of CCube Solutions and Intisar Abdullah of King Abdulaziz Medical City in the UAE about the future of patient records.

Practical Patient Care Issue 17 2016

Although viruses like Zika and Ebola have demonstrated the importance of good diagnostic technology, the field remains undervalued and underfunded. Practical Patient Care asks Rosanna Peeling, professor and chair of diagnostics research at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, what the implications are for developing-world countries where the disease burden is highest, and whether technology transfer could be the solution.

Technological developments are constantly affecting the global pharmaceuticals market and manipulating trends in point-of-care testing. We investigate what this means for treating patients and how such progress can bring about positive change.

Also in this issue: How can the industry enforce a culture of making sure nurses and doctors always wash their hands? We speak to Dr Jocelyn Srigley to find out how the industry is training itself to remember. Plus, ECCMID programme director Winfried Kern outlines the highlights of the 26th ECCMID, and Practical Patient Care speaks to Severin Läuchli of European Wound Management Association.

Medical Imaging Technology Vol. 18 2016

Routine mammograms for breast cancer may also be an effective tool for catching heart disease early. Dr Laurie Margolies, chief of breast imaging at the
Dubin Breast Center, explains the technique’s potential new role in female cardiovascular care.

With state-funded sonography in crisis, many in the UK believe that ultrasound would be better handled by independent contractors.
Medical Imaging Technology weighs up the pros and cons of US-style outsourcing for providers and patients.

Also in this issue: The Endo TOFPET-US project has developed an endoscopic PET scanner that could be used to find biomarkers of early-stage pancreatic cancer.
Abi Millar speaks to Dr Paul Lecoq, a physicist at CERN, about what this technology entails. Plus, a series of regulatory measures have been launched to cope with the
increasingly intense scrutiny to which medical imaging services are being subjected, as Nick Dudley of the British Medical Ultrasound Service, explains.

Medical Imaging Technology Vol. 17 2016

What exactly is it that makes us happy? Scientists at Kyoto University might have found an answer, using imaging technology to scan the brains of participants and understand how different people experience happiness. Oliver Hotham speaks to Dr Wataru Sato about the groundbreaking research, his influences, and its implications for the treatment of neurological and mental health problems.

New research into the practical applications of non-invasive ultrasound could save millions, allowing radiologists to detect carotid stenosis and pre-empt unnecessary surgery with medication. Fisnik Jashari, neurology resident at the University Clinical Center of Kosovo, talks about how medical imaging could be helping to transform the treatment of stroke sufferers, and promote cures that are safer, more economical and less invasive.

Also in this issue: Sarah Williams speaks to Dr Tim Witney and Dr Michelle James about a new method of highlighting tumour tissue using PET to identify changes in cell metabolism, and what it could mean for brain cancer patients. Plus, Greg Noone talks to Dr David Skaggs about the capabilities of the new scanner installed in the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles and how it promises to transform the scanning regime for scoliosis sufferers.

Practical Patient Care UK Issue 7 2015

Rare diseases are surprisingly common – about 30 million EU citizens are currently living with them. As each condition typically only affects a handful of people, reaching a conclusive diagnosis can be
akin to finding a needle in a haystack. Sarah Williams discusses the various challenges and opportunities of genetic sequencing for diagnosing these rare conditions with Lucy Jenkins, interim director of the regional genetics laboratories and consultant clinical scientist at the North East Thames Regional Genetics Service at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

The five-year-forward view envisions a new relationship with patients, carers and communities. It outlines the steps and changes needed to ensure that the NHS supports people to gain greater control over their own care, develops new models of care to help prevent some long-term conditions (LTCs) and improves the quality of life for people who acquire or develop these types of conditions.

Also in this issue: Nic Paton speaks to Beverley Bryant, NHS England director of strategic systems and technology, about the progress made in digital innovation in the NHS and the University of Sheffield’s Dr Mark Bass discusses how blasting chronic wounds with ultrasound could reduce healing times by a third compared with current treatments.

Practical Patient Care Compendium 2016

Practical Patient Care Middle East Volume 1 2015

In this, the inaugural edition of Practical Patient Care Middle East, we take a look at the progress being made in the clinical uses of fMRI and how long it will be until such technology becomes commonplace in Middle Eastern hospitals.

Also in this issue: we explore the impact that aesthetics can have on recovery with Mounes Kalaawi, CEO of Clemenceau Medical Centre, Lebanon; and Dr Wael Al Mahmeed, chief of cardiology at Shaikh Khalifa Medical City, discusses the increased prevalence of heart failure in the Middle East and why prevention, not cure, is the way forward.

Plus, Dr Rola Shaheen, project leader for a study on breast cancer awareness in the Middle East, outlines the challenges of breast cancer prevention and the need for effective national screening programmes.

Practical Patient Care Issue 16 2015

Point-of-care tests for rapid detection of respiratory tract infections are emerging on the market. Practical Patient Care explore how these products compare with those of bacterial culture for detecting streptococcus infections with Pentti Huovinen, dean of medicine at the University of Turku, Finland.

Prisons and other places of detention pose particular risks for the transmission of infection for several reasons. We consider the most important factors for controlling and preventing infectious diseases in such settings with Sunita Sturup-Toft, Health and Justice public health specialist at Public Health England.

Also in this issue: Sophie Peacock speaks to Dr Sanjai Addla about the crucial impact robotics have had on keyhole surgery, and Sarah Williams discusses genetic sequencing for diagnosing rare conditions with Lucy Jenkins, interim director of the Regional Genetics Laboratories and consultant clinical scientist at the North East Thames Regional Genetics Service at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Medical Imaging Technology Issue 16 2015

Blasting chronic wounds with ultrasound could reduce healing times by a third compared with current treatments, but how soon will it be before the technology reaches the clinic and what are the implications for pregnancy scans? In this edition of Medical Imaging Technology Elly Earls finds out from the University of Sheffield's Dr Mark Bass.

Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder that causes hallucinations, delusions and disordered thought. Brain-scanning methods have revealed differences in healthy controls from people with the condition, but they are not yet accurate enough to inform diagnosis. Professor Joseph Kambeitz from Ludwig-Maximillians University introduces us to new algorithmic methods that could help change this.

Also in this issue: Sophie Peacock speaks to Dr Marina Alvarez Benito about how early-stage detection of breast cancer could be revolutionised by making 3D digital mammography the standard of care, and Medical Imaging Technology explores the safety issues related to CT and X-rays during pregnancy with Dr Manjiri Dighe, associate professor of radiology at the University of Washington.

Practical Patient Care UK Issue 6 2015

Operations to remove brain tumours or detach the structures that trigger epilepsy are some of the most sensitive a neurosurgeon can perform, and the associated risks mean many procedures are ruled out. Andrew McEvoy, consultant neurosurgeon at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, tells Sarah Williams how 3D imaging equipment allows surgeons to navigate through the brain with greater precision and safety, and why this technology is making such a difference.

Healthcare-acquired infections are a critical public health threat, but tools to identify the genetic makeup of perpetrating microorganisms might soon prove their worth in controlling outbreaks. Beryl Oppenheim, consultant microbiologist at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, talks to Natalie Healey about her team's pioneering use of whole-genome sequencing to stop multidrug-resistant pathogens.

Also in this issue: Ross Davies reports on the surgical site infections debate that continues to divide the medical community; Dr Catherine Owens, paediatric radiologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, talks about optimising radiation dose for young patients; and Abi Millar talks to architectural theorist Charles Jencks, co-founder of the charity Maggie's Centre with his late wife Maggie; CEO Laura Lee; and architect Lord Norman Foster.

Medical Imaging Technology Issue 15

Space travel takes its toll on the bones of astronauts. As NASA plans for longer and riskier missions to other worlds, it is vital this phenomenon is better understood so that relevant countermeasures can be devised. Dr Jean Sibonga and Dr Eugene Boland outline the issues with bone loss in microgravity, where one giant leap could easily lead to two broken legs.

While imaging technology has helped researchers to map the brain and understand many of its processes, memory has largely remained a mystery. Professor Emrah Duzel of the University Hospital Magdeburg reveals how his team has used high-resolution MRI scans to unlock the secrets of an important human memory circuit and assist our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases.

Also in this issue: osteoporosis is one of the greatest challenges facing modern healthcare. Dr Thomas Link, professor of musculoskeletal imaging at the University of California, San Francisco, discusses the ongoing evolution of diagnostic imaging in the field and the latest research into new biomarkers. Plus, Professor Guy Rutty and Professor Bruno Morgan from the University of Leicester's Forensic Pathology Unit take us through the latest thinking in the field of post-mortem cross-sectional imaging.

Practical Patient Care Issue 15 2015

We've seen major changes in the way biomedical scientists test for sexually transmitted infections, but how do they work, and which techniques most benefit the patient? Jamie Laughlin, microbiology manager for South West London Pathology services, shares his insight on developments in the diagnostics lab.

Clostridium difficile is the most common bacterial infection acquired in UK hospitals, but the country has made inroads to tackling it. Professor Mark Wilcox, Public Health England's lead on the pathogen, discusses trends in C difficile reduction and how to identify future threats.

Also in this issue: Abi Millar talks to Mark Thursz, professor of hepatology at Imperial College London about improving hepatitis diagnosis, and Dr Gareth Thompson, chief medical officer at Our Mobile Health, speaks to Greg Noone about how digital healthcare apps could transform the diagnosis and treatment of certain conditions.

Medical Imaging Technology Issue 14

Despite weighing less than 2% of your total mass, your brain consumes more than a fifth of your body's energy, drawing its fuel from 400 miles of blood vessels. Historically, however, neuroscientists haven't given much thought to the colossal network of neural veins and arteries. As
Jack Wittels reveals, Elizabeth Hillman and her team from Columbia Engineering may have discovered the missing link in our understanding of how the brain dynamically tunes its blood flow to stay in sync with the neuron activity.

As patients have become heavier, radiologists have faced greater challenges interpreting their diagnostic scans. In this edition of Medical Imaging Technology, Abi Millar discovers what the rising number of obese patients means for radiology departments, and how each variant of imaging practice faces its own specific issues where the condition is concerned.

Also in this issue: The consensus is that contrast agents are causally associated with the development of acute kidney injury, particularly among patients who already have renal problems. Many published guidelines advice withholding contrast in these at-risk individuals, often at the expense of diagnostic accuracy. Extensive research conducted at Mayo Clinic suggests these fears may be unfounded; Robert McDonald brings us up to speed with the latest data.

Practical Patient Care Issue 14 2014

Type 2 diabetes has increased parallel to global obesity since the 1960s; three million people in the UK are afflicted by the disorder and that number's expected to rise to 4.6 million within the next 15 years. In this edition of Practical Patient Care, Chris Godfrey looks at proposals for bariatric surgery to be offered to type 2 diabetics and Professor Nicholas Finer runs us through evidence to support the efficacy of using gastric bands to cure the disease.

Non-communicable diseases like diabetes, and others such as stroke and heart disease, are a major cause of premature death in low and middle-income countries. Dr Fred Hersch discusses how the
humble mobile phone could help shift the burden and make healthcare more accessible in these parts of the world.

Also in this issue: From patients watching their own operations to surgeons performing procedures from remote locations, we look at the hospitals of the future. Plus, Jennie Wilson of the University of West London reveals the multiple ways that clinical gloves can be misused - from using them in situations where they are not required to failing to observe the necessary hand-hygiene steps while they are being worn.

Practical Patient Care Issue 13 2014

Diagnostics is one of the most rapidly evolving areas in medicine. Driven by a demand for speedier solutions, the market is growing fast and the tests themselves are becoming more sophisticated. In our cover story, we explore an approach that could change the face of cancer diagnosis, facilitating a next-generation, fully automated approach to histology. Researcher Dr Kirill A Veselkov runs through the benefits.

Of course, newer is not always better; when it comes to wound care, certain practitioners are adopting a back-to-basics approach. Nicola Ivins from Cardiff University's Wound Healing Research Unit and Worchester Royal Hospital's Judy Belcher discuss the potential for honey-based dressings. An equally sticky subject is NHS outsourcing - as hospitals contract out their facilities management, what does this mean for cleanliness? Jane Lethbridge, director of the Public Services International Research Unit, delves into the controversy.

Medical Imaging Technology Issue 13

Overutilisation has long been a concern for the medical imaging community and estimates suggest that as many as 30-50% of scans may be medically unnecessary. In this issue of Medical Imaging Technology, the ACR's Cindy Moran explains how the situation could be set to change.

Despite multiple efforts to develop a screening programme for ovarian cancer, no previous trials have been able to demonstrate a net benefit. But, as ultrasound methods are refined, it seems there may be hope yet. As the largest trial to date heads towards its conclusion, Natalie Healey asks principal investigator Ian Jacobs what we can expect.

Also in this issue, more good news for cancer research in the shape of a data analysis system that will allow researchers to apply mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) to tissue samples. Heralded as altering the fundamental paradigm of histology, this development could shake up methodologies that have barely changed in a century. Jack Wittels talks to Dr Kirill A Veselkov, one of the researchers, about its potential to revolutionise cancer identification and treatment, and asks what hurdles remain in the way.

Medical Imaging Technology Issue 12

Dr Timothy Hughes, the subject of our cover story, and his team recently broke new ground in Alzheimer's research, using PiB-PET scans to show that amyloid plaque build-up in the brain (a cause of dementia) is related to arterial stiffness. It seems that high blood pressure in middle age may influence the development of Alzheimer's in later life, and Hughes' research takes us a step closer towards understanding the underlying mechanism.

Dr Mitchell Machtay discusses how FDG-PET scans can determine prognosis in patients with advanced lung cancer, we take a peek into the contentious field of contrast media and Dr Keith Dreyer, chair of the American College of Radiology's IT and Informatics Committee, discusses the proliferation of PACS in the medical imaging sector.

Practical Patient Care Issue 12 2013

By examining the causes, treatments and probable consequences of obesity in the
UK, Debbie Cook and Professor David Haslam of the National Obesity Forum take a
look beyond the scaremongering and ask what needs to be done to beat a nation's
bulge. How do we deal with psychological issues (such as those induced by stigmatisation)
as well as tackling the outward signs and causes?

Another topic of ongoing concern is healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). While
these have existed for as long as there have been hospitals, a recent study by the
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has suggested they are
now more prevalent than ever. We quiz ECDC director Dr Marc Sprenger about the findings,
and what he feels should be done.

Of course, HAIs are not just an issue for Europe. Dr Ruth M Carrico of the University
of Louisville School of Medicine in the US discusses the prevalence of C. difficile
and how we can make our healthcare environments a safer place to be.

Finally, as innovations continue apace, it is tempting to assume that the newest
and slickest modes of treatment are the best. We challenge this assumption in a
report on hypodermoclysis - an age-old method of subcutaneous fluid delivery that
has recently fallen out of favour in many quarters. We spoke to palliative care
nurse Cathy Mouchebeuf about why this little-acknowledged technique may be overdue
for a comeback.

Practical Patient Care Issue 11 2013

Healthcare-associated infections are on the increase and antibiotics are no longer
effective. In this edition of Practical Patient Care, Derek Butler, chair of MRSA
Action UK, calls on the medical industry to return to basics and look to the successes
of other industries in controlling bacteria.

We also take a look at the forecast for HIV until 2022 with GlobalData analysts
Alyssa Klein and Alison Carpenter. Members of the Association of Perioperative Registered
Nurses discuss needlestick injuries in the operating room, and Ivan Fistonic of
the Ob/Gyn & Menopause Center talks about the early diagnosis of urinary incontinence.

Medical Imaging Technology Issue 11

The boundaries of what is possible with medical imaging have consistently been pushed
further and further through the curiosity, hard work and flashes of genius from
those working in the field. Our cover story in this issue of Medical Imaging Technology
focuses on another entry to this long list, Professor Adrian Owen’s ground-breaking
research into communication with patients in a vegetative state using fMRI.

We also look at what the future holds for breast cancer screening, discuss the importance
and selection of monitors for use in medical imaging, and weigh up the advantages
and disadvantages of teleradiology.

Elsewhere in this edition, we hear from GlobalData analysts regarding the burgeoning
marker for therapeutics in skin and skin structure infections. We also speak to
IFSO president Antonio Torres about why bariatric surgery remains a vital option
for weight-loss problems.

Medical Imaging Technology Issue 10

Traditionally, the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders has relied on well established
pen-and-paper or cognitive testing. However, advances in imaging technology have
engendered a whole realm of new possibilities when it comes to the early detection
of disorders, the determination of at-risk individuals and thus the opportunity
for early intervention.In our cover story, Professor Mary Phillips discusses her
work in using fMRI to identify the children of parents with a mental disorder who
may themselves develop a disorder latterly.

Also in this issue Dr Jean Weigert gives an insight into the use of breast specific
gamma imaging in conjunction with mammography and ultrasound screening techniques,
we count down the top ten diagnostic devices in medical imaging, and explain why
the heat will soon be on for tumours with the development of a non-invasive chemotherapy
technique.

Practical Patient Care Issue 9 2012

With alcohol-related admissions to hospitals in England topping the one-million
mark for the first time, the solutions some hospitals are putting in place to tackle
the problem are timely, as Sir Ian Gilmore, Royal Liverpool Hospital, and Eric Appleby,
Alcohol Concern, tell our readers.

Members of the Forum for Injection Technique introduce guidelines to help improve
dose administration and Dawn Managhan of the UK's Information Commissioner's Office
discusses data safety breaches. We also discover the top ten disinfectants used
to control healthcare-associated infection rates, as highlighted by GlobalData.

Medical Imaging Technology Issue 9

Oncological screening is an ever-growing area of medical imaging, with the march
towards increased fidelity, reliability, efficacy and accuracy never ceasing. Professor
Daniel Kopans, along with Drs Robin Wilson and Per Skaane, evaluate the established
programmes of breast cancer screening and discuss the possibilities for improvement
via cross-disciplinary training.

Also in this edition of Medical Imaging Technology we discuss the increasing
use of MRI in stroke diagnosis, Alberta Health Services’ plans to significantly
increase PET and CT scan usage, and Mary Barber shares her experiences of implementing
the NHS’ picture archiving and communication systems (PACS).

Practical Patient Care Issue 8 2011

Medical technology is developing at breakneck speed, but innovation alone is not
enough to tackle today's global health challenges. Professor Guang-Zhong Yang and
Lord Ara Darzi of the Institute of Global Health Innovation explain why scientists
and policy-makers need to establish common aims if the issues facing developed and
developing countries are to be addressed.

We find out how investing in pioneering teleheath technology has paid off for one
UK hospital district, and discover what psychological impact the diagnosis of healthcare-acquired
infections (HAIs) can have on patients. We also hear from Dr Caroline E Fife as
she guides us through the key principles of modern wound dressing selection.

Medical Imaging Technology Issue 8

The technological progress made in the field of medical imaging, even within the
last decade, is remarkable. Devices are getting smaller, becoming increasingly sensitive
and being put to use in novel and innovative ways. However, it is not always a case
of ’out with the old, in with the new’ in medical screening: Drs Anthony
DeMaria and Bruce Kimura discuss the progress of portable ultrasound devices and
explain why they believe the stethoscope won’t be made redundant.

In our cover story, as some practitioners are taught to read images, we delve into
the evolving role of the radiographer,considering the benefits of the expansion
of the role and consider the possible ’clash of responsibilities’ in
the radiography room.

Practical Patient Care Issue 7 2011

A new type of antibiotic resistance originating in South Asia has the potential
to cause havoc worldwide is the proper precautions are not taken by regulators and
healthcare facilities. Dr David Livermore of the UK's Health Protection Agency tells
Practical Patient Care how we can prevent its spread.

Elsewhere in this issue, we take a look at the many applications of e-care from
remote consultations to medication adherence. We also investigate the strategies
that are being employed to help maintain the dignity of patients, and find out how
the industry can meet the need for integrated care and quality out-of-hours support.

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